What’s Happening at Camp Takajo? July 2, 2012

Jeff’s Thoughts:  To begin, we are focusing on gaining traction. As a parent, I can totally appreciate and empathize with parents at home who are waiting on pins and needles for letters and emails from their kids to arrive. A summer at Camp Takajo builds from day-to-day, week to week, and cannot be measured by a simple snapshot. Your boys are thriving, they are making friends, stretching outside of their comfort zone, trying new activities, and learning more about themselves each and every day in a safe and happy environment. Enjoy Independence Day, and know we are taking great care of your children.

 July 2 Update:

• Don’t forget to please “Like” us on Facebook, so you can stay in the Camp Takajo loop.
• All the Warriors (boys ages 7 through 10, who have just finished 1^st through 4th grade), will be offered to participate in a soccer clinic going on this week. Today, the Crows are working with the trainer, Mike Turtle, at this soccer specialty camp. They will learn new skills and get training from a professional coach.  The Braves are leaving in the afternoon for their overnight in Bridgton, where they will eat dinner and then breakfast the following morning.  The Indians are signing up for their fourth hobby choice and attending that new hobby.
• The 15 and under tennis team got a taste of victory on Wednesday, June 27, with a terrific win at the Winaukee tournament, pulling ahead by ½ of a point over their opponents. Campers in tennis have five more upcoming tournaments. Keep up the great work!
• Today in Art classes, the boys’ own skills and interests in superheroes are being focused to make their very own superhero playing cards.  Also, nature-inspired prints are being created out of elements straight from the Takajo woods, like leaves and sticks.
• The kids are gearing up for the Independence Day parade in Naples, and band practice starts today.  Counselors and instructors will be taking the Braves on their camping trip to Shannon’s Sanctuary for a campfire and an overnight in tents.
• The Seniors (boys ages 13 through 15, who have finished 7^th, 8^th or 9^th grade) played an inter-camp soccer tournament against Skylemar today, and they have done tremendously well.  In the first game we had an early lead, and it ended in overtime with Takajo claiming the victory.  The boys won their second game as well, and this afternoon, they are going into the semi-finals.
• It was a great day at the waterfront, and with a gentle breeze, sunshine above us and all of the gorgeous water, it was a perfect day for sailing. The Juniors and Seniors had a blast on the Sunfish, the Lasers, and the new Hobie Bravo sail boat, while the Crows had a sail boat ride in our Hunter 170.  The staff is doing a great job down on the docks, and everyone is improving their swimming skills.
• The 11 year olds played in a basketball tournament all afternoon, and they will be in the baseball tournament tomorrow.  We all enjoy cheering them on during these beautiful Maine summer days.
• Pioneering is teaching the boys some valuable skills by the fire pit today. They are showing the boys how to build a fire from scratch, without matches or a lighter, and learning how to cook basic food on it. Yummy s’mores!
• Today was a great day in Junior camp (boys ages 11 and 12, who have finished 5^th or 6^th grade).  The boys got their first taste of inter-camp sports games. Their first golf trip went out, and the first two bunks won honor bunk for weekly cleanup.